Latest AFC rankings give Saudi Arabia clear path for improvement
from the nation’s FIFA rankings.
Saudi Arabia are the sixth highest ranked Asian country in the latest FIFA rankings, ahead of the AFC rankings toppers the UAE, but as this counted for only a 10th of the weight, this allowed the UAE to trump their Gulf neighbors.
So why, when on the international stage the Green Falcons are looking ever-more impressive, did Saudi Arabia not finish higher? Club performances in the AFC Champions League is where Saudi falls short. Al-Hilal aside, results have been mediocre for Saudi Arabian teams in Asia’s top club competition over the past few years.
Since 2014, Al-Hilal are the only team from the Kingdom to progress past the quarter-finals, finishing runners-up twice (2014 and 2017) and reaching the semifinal in 2015.
In comparison, the UAE have had two different finalists in the same period (Al-Ahli in 2015 and Al-Ain in 2016), the latter also reached the semifinals in 2014. Dubai-based Al-Nasr reached the quarter-finals in 2016 and were only eliminated due to fielding Brazilian striker Wanderley as an Asian player under a fake Indonesian passport.
The AFC Champions League quarter-finals have always featured at least one Emirati club, while all Saudi clubs had failed to advance past the last 16 in 2016.
Al-Hilal’s great AFC Champions League campaign, which saw them reach the final before losing to Urawa Reds, has boosted Saudi Arabia’s fortunes, but as the 2018 edition kicks-off in February, the Kingdom’s clubs will have their work cut out in pursuit of a higher place in the ranking. This comes after Al-Nassr and Al-Ittihad, who have both qualified for next year’s competition, have failed to obtain the AFC Club License necessary to participate in next year’s AFC Champions League. The teams below them in the 2016/17 Saudi Pro League table, Al-Raed, Al-Shabab and Al-Tawoun were also unable to obtain the license.
AFC Regulations state that only teams that finish in the top half of the domestic league are eligible to play in AFC competitions, provided they obtain the license. This means Al-Hilal and Al-Ahli will be Saudi Arabia’s only representatives in next year’s competition.
Granted, the two teams were always bound to be the likeliest to progress to advanced stages of the competition, judging by recent history. But by losing two more spots at the continental competition, Saudi’s chances of climbing up the AFC rankings will suffer considerable damage.
Last Tuesday, two-time AFC Champions League winners Al-Ittihad announced that the club is set to receive a SR13 million cash injection from the General Sports Authority. The money will be used to settle outstanding payments owed to former players like Australia’s James Troisi. Unmet financial obligations were the main reason behind the club’s failure to land the AFC license, and the situation at Al-Nassr is no different.
Teams need sustainable sources for revenue and sound management of those funds if they are to retain their once prominent place at the top table of Asian football and propel Saudi further up the AFC Rankings.